Wingate beats Shiprock, secures No. 1 for district

TOP: Wingate's Benson Perry (15) flies past defending Shiprock Chieftain Andre Joe (11) as he reaches up for an attempted block on Monday night during the New Mexico District 1-3A game which determined the top seed, in Kirtland, N.M. Wingate defeated Shiprock, 53-52.

BOTTOM:
Wingate's Kacee Begay (32) keeps the ball away from Chieftain player Deron Johnson (10) on Monday during the District 1-3A tiebreaker.

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The Wingate boys are back.

After two years, the Wingate Bears have reclaimed the No. 1 seed in New Mexico District 1-3A.

The Bears, who have an overall record of 16-10 and 6-1 in district, defeated the Shiprock Chieftains, 53-52, on Feb. 25 at Kirtland Central High in the third meeting of the two teams this season.

Wingate head coach Al Martinez said it's been a long time coming since his team has been at the top of the district.

"We're glad to be back in," Martinez said. "We feel like we belong every year whether we win or not … now we got a chance at the crown."

The win secures Wingate with the No. 1 seed for the district championship game that will be held this Saturday in Fort Wingate.